A chuppah set facing the Mediterranean, the evening light upon the ketubah, the breaking of the glass, and joy erupting. The Côte d'Azur has long welcomed Jewish families from France, Europe, the United States, or Israel. Celebrating a Jewish wedding here means uniting the depth of a millennia-old tradition with one of the most beautiful lights in the world.
One tradition, several families
There is no single Jewish wedding, but rather many. A Sephardic family of Moroccan or Tunisian heritage does not celebrate in quite the same way as an Ashkenazi family from New York or London. The level of observance also varies from one family to another, sometimes even within the same couple. Our primary role is therefore to listen, then to shape the programme alongside the family and the officiating rabbi.
Before the wedding
- 01
The Henna.
In Sephardic families, particularly those from North Africa, the Henna evening takes place a few days before the wedding. The bride wears a traditional embroidered gown, her family traces a touch of henna onto her palm to protect her and bring her good fortune, and the celebration comes alive to the rhythm of oriental music and delicate pastries. A garden villa, softly illuminated by lanterns, offers the ideal setting for this special evening.
The Shabbat before the wedding.
On the Saturday preceding the wedding, the groom is often called to the Torah at the synagogue, and the community showers him with sweets and wishes. For a family traveling from afar, this entails knowing the nearby synagogues and accommodating guests within walking distance if they observe Shabbat.
The wedding day
- 01
The Kabbalat Panim and the Tisch.
Before the ceremony, the bride receives her guests, seated like a queen, while the groom is surrounded by the men of the family around a table, where songs are sung and toasts are raised.
The signing of the Ketubah.
The marriage contract is signed before two witnesses. Many couples choose a Ketubah calligraphed and illuminated by an artist, which will become a work of art in their home.
The Bedeken.
The groom joins the bride and covers her face with her veil. It is one of the most moving moments of the day, often shared in the intimacy of family, away from the guests.
The chuppah.
The nuptial canopy, open on all four sides like the tent of Abraham, symbolizes the home the couple is about to build. It can be crafted from a family prayer shawl, silk, or entirely of flowers. Beneath the chuppah, according to tradition, the bride circles the groom, the groom places a simple ring without a stone on the bride’s finger, the Ketubah is read, and then the seven blessings are recited.
The broken glass.
At the end of the ceremony, the groom crushes a glass beneath his foot in memory of the destruction of the Temple, and all the guests exclaim “Mazel Tov.”
The Yihud.
Right after the ceremony, the newlyweds spend a few moments alone in a room thoughtfully prepared for them, before joining the celebration. We always arrange this dedicated space, complete with champagne and light refreshments.
La Hora and the party.
The newlyweds are lifted on chairs in the midst of the dancing. It is the signal for a joyous celebration, which often lasts all night long.
The Chuppah on the Riviera
An open-air chuppah facing the sea remains the image many couples envision first. On the Côte d'Azur, it can be set up in the garden of a Cap-Ferrat villa, on the terrace of a Cannes palace hotel, beneath the pine trees of a park, or along the shores of a private beach. It requires a few precautions: a structure weighted against the wind, an orientation thoughtfully designed for the evening light, a subtle yet clear sound so that everyone may hear the blessings, and always a sheltered Plan B.
Kashrut
For many families, kosher cuisine is essential. On the Côte d'Azur, caterers offer high-end gastronomy under rabbinical supervision. Depending on the family's level of observance, several points are decided in advance with the rabbi:
- Supervision: a supervisor present in the kitchen throughout the entire preparation and service.
- The cuisine: either a kitchen rendered kosher at the venue, or a catering kitchen installed on-site.
- Meat and dairy: a meat dinner calls for dairy-free desserts, which the finest pastry chefs know how to render remarkable.
- The wines: kosher wines, increasingly featured among prestigious estates, and tailored service.
- Tableware: new or rendered kosher, according to the established rules.
The Calendar
- Shabbat: no weddings are celebrated from Friday evening to nightfall on Saturday. In summer, a Saturday evening wedding therefore begins late. Thursdays and Sundays are often preferred.
- Holidays: weddings are not celebrated during major Jewish holidays.
- Periods without weddings: several weeks between Passover and Shavuot, depending on traditions, and the three mid-summer weeks, which often fall in July or August. For a summer wedding on the Riviera, this is the very first detail to check.
The dates change every year. We always confirm them with the rabbi before booking a venue.
The civil wedding in France
In France, a religious ceremony may only be celebrated following the civil wedding. To marry at the town hall in France, one of the future spouses, or one of their parents, must have resided in the municipality for at least one month. Most couples coming from abroad therefore marry civilly in their home country first, before celebrating their religious ceremony on the Riviera.
The Rabbi
Some families bring the rabbi from their own community. Others call upon a rabbi based in France. For a synagogue ceremony, the communities of Nice, Cannes, and Monaco may be approached, subject to their rules and availability. In every case, the rabbi is consulted from the outset, as he validates the date, the kashrut, and the flow of the ceremony.
The Venues
- The private villas of Cap-Ferrat, Cap-d'Ail, and the heights of Cannes offer gardens and terraces for an open-air chuppah, and graciously host the henna celebration.
- The palace hotels of Cannes and Monaco host grand receptions and allow for the installation of a dedicated kosher kitchen. They also facilitate accommodation for guests observing Shabbat.
- The hinterland estates lend themselves beautifully to multi-day weddings, with on-site accommodation.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can an outdoor chuppah be set up facing the sea? Yes, in a private villa, a palace, or a park, with a structure adapted to the wind and a sheltered Plan B.
- Can high-end kosher caterers be found on the French Riviera? Yes, under rabbinical supervision, featuring haute cuisine menus.
- Which day to choose for a Jewish wedding? Thursdays and Sundays are often preferred. Saturday evening is possible, with a late start in summer.
- Can you get married in July or August? Yes, outside of the three weeks when weddings are not celebrated. The dates vary each year: we verify them with the rabbi.
- Can we bring our own rabbi? Yes. Many families do so, and we arrange his travel and stay.
- How long does it take to plan a Jewish wedding on the Riviera? Twelve to eighteen months for a grand wedding, owing to Kashrut, calendar considerations, and venue availability.
Tradition, light
A Jewish wedding is a moment where generations come together. The grandmother’s henna, the grandfather’s prayer shawl held above the bride and groom, the breaking of the glass, and the dance that begins. On the Riviera, beneath the evening light, this union takes on a singular beauty, which we orchestrate with the utmost respect. With all my elegance, Sandrine Arnould — Founder, Luxury Events Agency